Escaping Calamity

Orochimaru had long since begun researching the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, as he and Danzo had been collaborating for some time.

Danzo had collected quite a few Sharingan for Orochimaru to study, yet no matter how hard he tried, he could not crack the secrets of the Mangekyo.

In the end, Orochimaru could only reach one conclusion: only the Uchiha bloodline could awaken the Mangekyo. That was why he was so obsessed with the bodies of Uchiha elites; he didn't even bother with defective goods like Kakashi.

"I know the reason for that!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said unhurriedly, "And I can tell you, too, which will significantly advance your research."

The secrets of the Sharingan were nothing to him, a veteran fan of Naruto.

"Let's hear it?"

Orochimaru said with a sinister tone.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled faintly and said, "The Mangekyo Sharingan is an upgraded version of the standard Sharingan. The strength of an Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyo is on a completely different level than those with ordinary eyes. The Mangekyo Sharingan possesses the ability to control Tailed Beasts, and it also comes with powerful ninjutsu like Susanoo. Mr. Orochimaru, am I correct?"

You...

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

The secret of the Mangekyo Sharingan was a top-level secret of Konoha; even he had only learned of it through Danzo. How could this Hōzuki Mangetsu possibly know?

Just hearsay!

Orochimaru sneered a few times and said, "I doubt you've even seen a Sharingan, kid."

Hōzuki Suigetsu smiled slightly.

"What if I told you I know the method to awaken the Mangekyo?"

Before the words had even faded, Orochimaru's neck elongated, transforming into a snake that tightly coiled around Hōzuki Suigetsu, its massive jaws gaping wide as it lunged to bite.

Regardless of whether Hōzuki Suigetsu was speaking the truth or lying, he intended to capture this fellow.

If he could understand the reason behind the Mangekyo's awakening, it would undoubtedly be a technological revolution for Orochimaru.

Splash!

Hōzuki Suigetsu's body turned into a puddle of water once again.

Orochimaru slowly retracted his long neck.

Fighting a Water Style user near a source of water was truly an unwise decision.

"Mr. Orochimaru!"

Hōzuki Suigetsu's figure reappeared not far away, grinning, "Although I am no match for you, it is impossible for you to capture me. So, if you want to know the secret of the Mangekyo, you have no choice but to cooperate with me."

Orochimaru sneered, "Being threatened by a brat is truly unpleasant. Fine, what do you want from me?"

There is no profit in waking up early; Hōzuki Mangetsu naturally wouldn't tell him for free.

"The Ryūchi Cave snake summoning contract!"

Hōzuki Mangetsu said with a serious expression.

The reason the Sannin had been able to dominate the ninja world for so many years, aside from their own formidable strength, was largely due to their respective summoning beasts.

Those were the strongest summoning beasts outside of the Tailed Beasts!

If there was one thing Orochimaru possessed that Hōzuki Suigetsu coveted most at this moment, it was this snake contract.

"What?"

Orochimaru's expression turned gloomy in an instant, and he said coldly, "Brat, you are very greedy!"

Summoning beasts were Orochimaru's trump card; furthermore, this matter was tied to the Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave, so he would not hand it over easily.

"Then there's nothing to be done. Actually, I also wanted your Kusanagi Sword, but it looks like that's even less likely."

Hōzuki Suigetsu shrugged.

Perhaps having inherited the Hozuki clan's fanaticism for ninja blades and tools, he wanted to claim any high-quality gear he laid eyes on as his own.

Even if he couldn't get the snake contract, trading for a Kusanagi Sword would be a very good deal.

Orochimaru considered it for a moment, then slowly spat out another sword from his mouth. This sword was slightly different from the previous one, but it was brighter and more beautiful overall.

"This is another piece from my collection. It is sharper than the one I use, and it can also harmonize with the user's chakra nature. This is the best price I can offer."

As he spoke, he thrust the sword into the ground in front of Hōzuki Suigetsu.

Is this the second young master's Kusanagi Sword?

Hōzuki Suigetsu's eyes lit up, and he looked at the beautiful ninja blade with pleasant surprise. In his past life, as a collector of ninja tools, he had always had a soft spot for this specific blade.

"Deal!"

Hōzuki Suigetsu formed a hand seal and spat out a large amount of clean water, washing the Kusanagi Sword—which had been coated in Orochimaru's stomach acid—until it was clean, then drew it.

A fine blade!

Looking at the cold glint flashing along the edge of the sword, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Although its power is inferior to Orochimaru's blade, it is far more beautiful than his.

Chakra flow!

Hōzuki Mangetsu exerted force with his right hand, and a pale blue radiance emanated from the blade, making the Kusanagi Sword in his hand shine even more brilliantly.

Sorry, Second Young Master, I've snatched your treasure!

The Hozuki clan is born with a natural talent for using ninja tools; the moment the Kusanagi Sword was in his hand, Hōzuki Mangetsu immediately grasped its properties and how to wield it.

Brat!

Orochimaru sneered and said, "You have the item now, what about what I want?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled sheepishly before finally sheathing the Kusanagi Sword.

"The Mangekyo Sharingan is an advanced stage of the ordinary Sharingan; not everyone can awaken it, just as not every member of the Uchiha clan can awaken the Sharingan."

Orochimaru nodded. He had long suspected this, and hearing Hōzuki Mangetsu's words finally confirmed his theory.

A smile touched the corners of Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth as he continued, "To awaken the Mangekyo, besides talent, the most important thing is..."

He paused here, then enunciated every word: "You must kill the person you love most?"

Kill the person you love most?

Orochimaru was stunned, looking at Hōzuki Mangetsu with an inscrutable expression. What kind of method for awakening eyes was this?

Could this brat be stringing him along?

At this thought, Orochimaru's eyes turned gloomy once again.

Hōzuki Mangetsu hurriedly said, "Since the Uchiha clan is known as the clan of evil, and the Sharingan is called the eye of evil, there is a basis for it. Legend has it that Uchiha Madara and his brother Izuna both killed the people they loved most, which is how they both awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan."

Orochimaru's heart stirred. He seemed to have seen this in the records of the First Hokage; the time the Uchiha brothers awakened their Mangekyo coincided with a struggle within their clan. Could this be the reason they awakened them?

He was somewhat uncertain, but this did provide a direction for his research.

Brat!

Orochimaru sneered and said, "If you dare to lie to me, I will wipe out your Hozuki clan."

With that, he turned and left.

Is it finally settled?

Hōzuki Mangetsu breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly called out, "Mr. Orochimaru, how should I contact you?"

Orochimaru tossed a scroll from a distance and said, "This is my summoning snake. If there is anything, you just need to tie a letter to it."

Hōzuki Mangetsu reached out and caught it.

Right!

Orochimaru suddenly added, "Your whereabouts were leaked by someone named Suikazan Fuguki."

As he spoke, he gradually vanished into the jungle.